Can personality traits, obesity, depression, anxiety, and quality of life explain the association between migraine and disordered eating attitudes?

BACKGROUND: Few studies have explored the coexistence of migraine and disordered eating attitudes. Furthermore, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine and disordered eating attitude comorbidity are not clearly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between migraine and disordered eating attitudes in relation to personality traits, obesity, quality of life, migraine severity, depression, and anxiety. METHODS: This study included 91 patients with episodic migraine and 84 healthy control subjects. Self-report questionnaires were used to evaluate anxiety, depression, migraine-related disability, personality traits, quality of life, and eating disorders. RESULTS: The Eating Attitude Test (EAT) showed disordered eating attitudes in 21 patients (23.1%) in the migraine group and eight patients (9.5%) in the control group. Migraine-related disability, anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and quality of life scores were significantly worse in migraine patients with disordered eating attitudes compared to migraine patients without disordered eating attitudes. In migraine patients, eating attitude test scores were positively correlated with migraine-related disability, anxiety, depression, and neuroticism scores, and negatively correlated with quality of life scores. CONCLUSION: The association of migraine and disordered eating attitudes was shown to be related to depression, anxiety, quality of life and personality traits and may also indicate a more clinically severe migraine. To the best of our knowledge, there is no literature study that deals with all these relevant data together. However, neuropsychiatry-based biological studies are required to better understand this multifaceted association.

Electrophysiological evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome female patients after vitamin D replacement.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of vitamin D on the central and peripheral nervous system continue to be investigated today. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate pain and electrophysiologic response in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) who have undergone replacement therapy due to vitamin D deficiency. METHODS: Fifty female patients diagnosed with mild and moderate CTS and accompanied by vitamin D deficiency were included in this study. Nerve conduction study (NCS) was performed before and after vitamin D replacement, and the patient's pain was evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS: When NCS were compared before and after treatment, there was a statistically significant improvement in the median distal sensory onset latency (DSOL) and sensory conduction velocity (CV) and motor distal latencies (DML) values (p=0.001; p<0.001; p=0.001, respectively). At the same time, there was a decrease in the VAS values in patients (p<0.001). When the two groups were compared there was an improvement in DSOL and sensory CV in both groups, but in DML only in moderate CTS group. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was shown that mild and moderate CTS patients had an improvement in pain and electrophysiological parameters after vitamin D replacement. Replacing vitamin D in early stages of CTS may be beneficial.

Vitamin D, vitamin D binding protein, vitamin D receptor levels and cardiac dysautonomia in patients with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study / Vitamina D, proteína de ligação à vitamina D, níveis de receptores de vitamina D e disautonomia cardíaca em pacientes com esclerose múltipla: um estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Vitamin D is a pleiotropic steroid hormone that modulates the autonomic balance. Its deficiency has been described as an environmental risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) and vitamin D receptors (VDR) and to evaluate cardiac dysautonomia in MS patients due to bidirectional interaction between vitamin D and the autonomic nervous system. Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 26 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and on 24 healthy controls. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure variability (BPV) was calculated and the participants were evaluated for orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension. Serum levels of vitamin D, VDBP and VDR were measured. Results: The mean serum vitamin D level was significantly lower in MS patients than in controls (p = 0.044); however there was no significant difference in terms of VDR and VDBP levels between the groups. Supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension were significant and the 24-hour systolic BPV was significantly decreased in patients with MS (p < 0.05) compared to controls. No correlation was found between vitamin D, VDBP and VDR with supine hypertension, orthostatic hypotension and systolic BPV values (p > 0.05). Also, there was a negative correlation between VDBP and the EDSS (p = 0.039, r = −0.406). Conclusion: There was no correlation between orthostatic hypotension, supine hypertension and systolic BPV values and serum vitamin D, VDBP and VDR in MS patients. Future prospective studies with large number of patients may help us to better understand the relationship between vitamin D and the autonomic nervous system.

RESUMO A vitamina D é um hormônio esteroide pleiotrópico que modula o equilíbrio autonômico. Sua deficiência tem sido descrita como fator de risco ambiental para esclerose múltipla (EM). O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os níveis séricos de vitamina D, proteína de ligação à vitamina D (VDBP) e receptor de vitamina D (VDR) e avaliar a disautonomia cardíaca em pacientes com EM devida à interação bidirecional entre vitamina D e sistema nervoso autônomo. Métodos: O presente estudo transversal foi realizado em 26 pacientes com EM remitente-recorrente e em 24 controles saudáveis. A variabilidade da pressão arterial ambulatorial (BPV) por 24 horas foi calculada e os participantes foram avaliados quanto à hipotensão ortostática e hipertensão supina. Os níveis séricos de vitamina D, VDBP e VDR foram medidos. Resultados: O nível sérico médio de vitamina D foi significativamente menor nos pacientes com EM do que nos controles (p = 0,044); no entanto, não houve diferença significativa em termos de níveis de VDR e VDBP entre os grupos. Hipertensão supina e hipotensão ortostática foram significativas e a BPV sistólica de 24 horas diminuiu significativamente em pacientes com EM (p < 0,05) em comparação aos controles. Não foi encontrada correlação entre vitamina D, VDBP e VDR com hipertensão supina, hipotensão ortostática e BPV sistólica (p > 0,05). Também houve correlação negativa entre VDBP e EDSS (p = 0,039, r = −0,406). Conclusão: Não houve correlação entre hipotensão ortostática, hipertensão supina e valores de BPV sistólica e vitamina D sérica, VDBP e VDR em pacientes com EM. Futuros estudos prospectivos com grande número de pacientes podem nos ajudar a entender melhor a relação entre vitamina D e sistema nervoso autônomo.

Constipation is associated with tension type headache in women.

Tension-type headaches (TTH) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are comorbid diseases affecting, especially, women. One of the underlying mechanisms for both is autonomic dysfunction in the brain-gut axis. We aimed to evaluate the factors accompanying TTH and their relation to functional gastrointestinal disorders. METHODS: Women diagnosed with TTH were questioned about headache pattern and severity, and accompanying factors, as well as being screened for IBS according to the Rome III criteria. The participants were divided into two groups: constipation-dominant IBS (IBS-C) group and "others", with a total of 115 individuals included in the study. RESULTS: Of the 115 patients; 48 (41.8%) of the women had IBS-C criteria while 67 (58.2%) described mixed-type IBS or diarrhea-dominant IBS. There were no significant differences in terms of mean age (p = 0.290), body mass index (p = 0.212), visual analog scale (p = 0.965), duration of attacks (p = 0.692), and episodic/chronic type (p = 0.553). Osmophobia was seen in 43.5%; phonophobia in 68.7%, and photophobia in 47.0% of the patients, and only osmophobia was significantly associated in women in the IBS-C group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In female patients with TTH, a higher level of constipation was detected. The relationship of these two diseases suggests that they may share common mechanisms. This is the first study showing the relationship of osmophobia with constipation.

Constipation is associated with tension type headache in women / Constipação está associada à cefaleia do tipo tensional em mulheres

ABSTRACT Tension-type headaches (TTH) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are comorbid diseases affecting, especially, women. One of the underlying mechanisms for both is autonomic dysfunction in the brain-gut axis. We aimed to evaluate the factors accompanying TTH and their relation to functional gastrointestinal disorders. Methods: Women diagnosed with TTH were questioned about headache pattern and severity, and accompanying factors, as well as being screened for IBS according to the Rome III criteria. The participants were divided into two groups: constipation-dominant IBS (IBS-C) group and "others", with a total of 115 individuals included in the study. Results: Of the 115 patients; 48 (41.8%) of the women had IBS-C criteria while 67 (58.2%) described mixed-type IBS or diarrhea-dominant IBS. There were no significant differences in terms of mean age (p = 0.290), body mass index (p = 0.212), visual analog scale (p = 0.965), duration of attacks (p = 0.692), and episodic/chronic type (p = 0.553). Osmophobia was seen in 43.5%; phonophobia in 68.7%, and photophobia in 47.0% of the patients, and only osmophobia was significantly associated in women in the IBS-C group (p = 0.001). Conclusion: In female patients with TTH, a higher level of constipation was detected. The relationship of these two diseases suggests that they may share common mechanisms. This is the first study showing the relationship of osmophobia with constipation.

RESUMO As cefaléias do tipo tensional (TTH) e a síndrome do intestino irritável (IBS) são comorbidades que afetam especialmente as mulheres. O mecanismo subjacente para ambas é a disfunção autonômica no eixo cérebro-intestino. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os fatores que acompanham as TTH e sua relação com distúrbios gastrointestinais funcionais (FGID). Métodos: Mulheres com diagnóstico de TTH foram questionadas quanto ao padrão e gravidade da cefaleia, fatores acompanhantes e triadas para IBS de acordo com os critérios de Roma III e foram divididas em dois grupos: grupo com IBS com predominância de constipação (IBS-C) e as demais. Um total de 115 mulheres foram incluídas no estudo. Resultados: Do total de 115 pacientes; 48 (41,8%) das mulheres tiveram os critérios da IBS-C, enquanto 67 (58,2%) tiveram IBS do tipo misto ou IBS com predominância de diarreia. Não houve diferenças significativas em termos de idade média (p = 0,290), índice de massa corporal (IMC) (p = 0,212), escala visual analógica (VAS) (p = 0,965), duração dos ataques (p = 0,692), e tipo episódico / crônico (p = 0,553). Osmofobia foi observada em 43,5% das pacientes; fonofobia em 68,7% e fotofobia em 47,0%, e apenas osmofobia foi significativamente associada no grupo de mulheres com predominância de constipação (p = 0,001). Conclusão: Em pacientes do sexo feminino com TTH, encontra-se uma maior constipação. A relação dessas duas doenças sugere que elas podem compartilhar mecanismos comuns. Além disso, este é o primeiro estudo mostrando a relação da osmofobia com a constipação.

Vitamin D, vitamin D binding protein, vitamin D receptor levels and cardiac dysautonomia in patients with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D is a pleiotropic steroid hormone that modulates the autonomic balance. Its deficiency has been described as an environmental risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) and vitamin D receptors (VDR) and to evaluate cardiac dysautonomia in MS patients due to bidirectional interaction between vitamin D and the autonomic nervous system. METHODS: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 26 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and on 24 healthy controls. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure variability (BPV) was calculated and the participants were evaluated for orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension. Serum levels of vitamin D, VDBP and VDR were measured. RESULTS: The mean serum vitamin D level was significantly lower in MS patients than in controls (p = 0.044); however there was no significant difference in terms of VDR and VDBP levels between the groups. Supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension were significant and the 24-hour systolic BPV was significantly decreased in patients with MS (p < 0.05) compared to controls. No correlation was found between vitamin D, VDBP and VDR with supine hypertension, orthostatic hypotension and systolic BPV values (p > 0.05). Also, there was a negative correlation between VDBP and the EDSS (p = 0.039, r = -0.406). CONCLUSION: There was no correlation between orthostatic hypotension, supine hypertension and systolic BPV values and serum vitamin D, VDBP and VDR in MS patients. Future prospective studies with large number of patients may help us to better understand the relationship between vitamin D and the autonomic nervous system.

Pain, depression and sleep disorders in patients with diabetic and nondiabetic carpal tunnel syndrome: a vicious cycle.

UNLABELLED: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition involving nerve entrapment that often leads to chronic neuropathic pain. We aimed to evaluate sleep quality and related parameters in diabetic and non-diabetic CTS patients. METHOD: This study included a total of 366 patients with chronic CTS. These patients' sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and depression using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The severity of neuropathic pain was evaluated using the Douleur Neuropathique-4 (DN4) questionnaire and a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: In the non-diabetic patient group, the total PSQI score was found to affect BDI and VAS, while in the diabetic patient group, the duration of symptoms affected VAS, BDI and fasting glucose levels. CONCLUSION: For diabetic patients, hyperglycemia depression and chronification of neuropathic pain may lead to deterioration of sleep quality. Therefore, consideration of these parameters in the treatment may break a vicious cycle.

Pain, depression and sleep disorders in patients with diabetic and nondiabetic carpal tunnel syndrome: a vicious cycle / Dor, depressão e distúrbios do sono em pacientes diabéticos e não diabéticos com síndrome do tumor do carpo: um ciclo vicioso

ABSTRACT Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition involving nerve entrapment that often leads to chronic neuropathic pain. We aimed to evaluate sleep quality and related parameters in diabetic and non-diabetic CTS patients. Method This study included a total of 366 patients with chronic CTS. These patients’ sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and depression using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The severity of neuropathic pain was evaluated using the Douleur Neuropathique-4 (DN4) questionnaire and a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results In the non-diabetic patient group, the total PSQI score was found to affect BDI and VAS, while in the diabetic patient group, the duration of symptoms affected VAS, BDI and fasting glucose levels. Conclusion For diabetic patients, hyperglycemia depression and chronification of neuropathic pain may lead to deterioration of sleep quality. Therefore, consideration of these parameters in the treatment may break a vicious cycle.

RESUMO A síndrome do túnel do carpo (STC) é uma condição que envolve compressão do nervo frequentemente determinando dor neuropática crônica. Procuramos avaliar a qualidade do sono e parâmetros correlatos em pacientes diabéticos e não-diabéticos com STC. Método Este estudo incluiu 366 pacientes com STC crônica. A qualidade de sono destes pacientes foi avaliada pelo Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) e a depressão foi avaliada usando Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). A gravidade da dor neuropática foi avaliada usando o questionário Douleur Neuropathique-4 (DN4) e a escala visual analógica (EVA). Resultados No grupo de pacientes não-diabéticos, o valor total do PSQI afetou BDI e VAS, enquanto no grupo de diabéticos a duração dos sintomas afetou VAS, BDI e níveis de glicemia de jejum. Conclusão Em pacientes diabéticos, depressão e cronificação da dor neuropática podem levar à deterioração da qualidade do sono. Assim, considerar todos estes parâmetros no tratamento pode quebrar este círculo vicioso.